FUN SCIENCE
Many everyday phenomena are related to physics or chemistry. Helping children connect physics and chemistry with their daily lives enables them to perceive events more accurately, retain knowledge longer, better comprehend science, and become scientifically literate. Understanding science and perceiving the world scientifically requires developing a scientific attitude and cognitive skills. Only those who can think like scientists and reflect on events can contribute meaningfully to the world. This workshop, designed for elementary and middle school students, offers fully hands-on and enjoyable activities and experiments that teach science and math concepts while fostering analytical and creative thinking skills. Students will explore various fields—from biology to chemistry and physics—through engaging experiments that promote understanding.

MINI KITCHEN WORKSHOP
Teaching children to cook is one of the most important activities supporting their creativity and problem-solving skills. In the Mini Kitchen Workshop, all five senses are engaged while emphasizing the importance of healthy nutrition and hygiene. Children’s fine motor skills are developed as they experience different flavors. The workshop also supports communication skills and general knowledge by introducing world cuisines and preparing signature dishes from various cultures. At Istanbul Aydın University’s Gastronomy Workshop, children are encouraged to create their own dishes and desserts using the SCAMPER technique.

CREATIVE PRODUCT DESIGN WITH FELT
All children are creative. The key is to convey the message “you are creative” without discouraging their desires and actions. Art materials and activities offer many ways to develop healthy emotions and intelligence. Artistic learning occurs not by imitation but by creating original works through drawing, painting, or shaping. Felt is a coarse fabric made by matting wool or cotton fibers in a wet environment, traditionally used for coverings, tents, and clothing. Due to its wide range of uses from past to present, felt remains a part of daily life. In this workshop at Istanbul Aydın University’s Fashion Design Felt Studio, children will learn about felt’s formation, types, and varieties, and design their own felt products.

JOURNEY TO THE SUBCONSCIOUS; MEDITATION
Meditation, derived from the Latin word meditatio, means to contemplate or reflect deeply. Essentially, meditation is deep thinking. Meditation especially benefits children by relieving stress, reducing anxiety, fears, and worries, and improving social roles and relationships. Practitioners experience strengthened immune systems, elimination of chronic fatigue, and enhanced self-awareness. Meditation provides physical, mental, and emotional detoxification, awakening creativity and intuition, while increasing overall happiness in life.

CHEMISTRY
Chemistry is the science that studies the structure, properties, composition, interactions, and reactions of matter. More comprehensively, it deals with the properties and classification of substances, atoms and atomic theory, chemical compounds and reactions, states of matter, intermolecular forces, chemical bonds, reaction kinetics, chemical equilibrium principles, and related topics. Students taking this course will investigate all combinations they are curious about, resolving their questions. They will engage in product-oriented projects such as perfume making, plastic production, drug content analysis, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

BRAIN AND HUMAN ANATOMY
Anatomy, derived from Greek words meaning “to cut apart,” is the science concerned with the structure and organization of living beings. Human anatomy, a fundamental medical science, involves identifying organs of the human body, describing their size and shape, determining their relationships, and applying this knowledge in medicine. Not only scientists but also artists have studied human and animal anatomy to inform their drawings. In this workshop, students will focus on the brain—its parts and functions—and how to use it more effectively during the first three weeks. In subsequent weeks, they will study human anatomy through models and visuals.

CINEMA AND TELEVISION
Cinema is the art of capturing motion by breaking it into sequential frames and projecting these images in a dark environment to recreate movement. The cinema workshop emphasizes skills such as acting, creation, and scriptwriting. It covers the history of cinema from its earliest films to commercials and contemporary developments. Children will learn how films they watch and are curious about are made, the techniques used during filming, and will have the opportunity to create their own films.

AVIATION AND PILOT TRAINING
The Aviation Department, increasingly popular today, attracts great interest from children. In this workshop, children will learn aviation rules, airspace, and cockpit operations. Using flight simulators, they will get answers to their aviation and piloting questions, learn technical aspects, and experience being pilots of their own planes. The workshop combines theoretical and practical training, allowing children to gain sector knowledge and apply what they learn through hands-on activities. Experiments such as parachute drops and pressure tests will help children understand how planes stay aloft, the role of air pressure, and pilots’ uniforms. Creative and psychomotor skills will be developed through model airplane construction, kite flying, and small rocket launching, broadening their horizons and encouraging scientific curiosity.

MODERN DANCE
Dance positively influences the physical, emotional, and social development of growing children. When practiced systematically and regularly, dance yields highly beneficial results. Dance classes improve body flexibility and strength, refine basic movements aesthetically, boost self-confidence, cultivate musical appreciation, and foster teamwork. This workshop also provides an environment that nurtures students’ creativity.

CODING AND ANIMATION
This workshop focuses on creative computer programs and skills such as website design, Photoshop, Scratch, and Videoscribe, with an emphasis on developing coding skills primarily through Scratch. Scratch is a software development platform and programming language designed to introduce children to computer programming. As coding and technology skills become as essential as reading and writing, this workshop aims to enhance students’ advanced technical abilities in digital environments. It supports organizing and designing information for various purposes, using visual language, and managing websites. The workshop fosters digital literacy and cultivates a culture of virtual environment usage.

RESEARCH AND INQUIRY
Research is defined broadly as the systematic investigation conducted to uncover facts or information. Inquiry involves asking questions, thinking critically, researching, and examining people, entities, institutions, events, ideas, beliefs, and ideologies to distinguish truth from falsehood. In this workshop, students will use research and inquiry methods to explore fundamental concepts in science, mathematics, and social studies. Through discussion groups, they will develop both critical thinking and communication skills.

ROBOTICS
The Robotics Workshop guides students toward thinking and learning by supporting scientific process skills, creativity, and positive attitudes toward science through structured programs. Students will learn about robot components and applications, building a foundational understanding of the field. Robots, increasingly influential and seen as future key players, have become a subject of curiosity for children and adults alike. Through available technologies in the workshop, children will discover how robots—once abstract concepts—are designed, manufactured, and programmed, learning while having fun.

CREATIVE DRAMA
Play is a child’s most enjoyable and voluntary activity. Drama uses play to facilitate joyful learning. It also helps students become aware of themselves and their behaviors, develop critical, empathetic, creative, and reflective thinking, solve problems, and express themselves in diverse ways. Combining drama with education is crucial for nurturing individuality and creativity, as drama emphasizes student-centered learning. Integrating education and entertainment ensures engagement and retention. Through active participation in drama activities, students will both enjoy themselves and solidify their learning.

MICROBIOLOGY
The term microbiology derives from the Greek words mikros (small), bios (life), and logos (science). Microbiology studies microorganisms—many of which are only visible under a microscope—and their characteristics and interactions with higher organisms and each other. It is a broad field divided into branches such as medical microbiology, soil and agricultural microbiology, water microbiology, industrial microbiology, and space microbiology, as well as specialized areas like bacteriology, immunology, virology, parasitology, and mycology. Children will enjoy both learning and having fun in this engaging course.

ASTRONOMY
Beginning with an introduction to astronomy and basic physical concepts, this workshop explores questions such as: How does our Sun generate energy? How long will it continue to warm us? How was the solar system formed? What distinguishes planets from stars? Why didn’t Jupiter become a star? How many planets exist beyond our solar system? Is there life in the universe? Under the topic of star formation and evolution, we will examine binary stars and their characteristics, whether stars live and die like living beings, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes, and what life would be like on a neutron star. We will explore why black holes cannot be observed directly, supernova explosions and their types, and galaxies. Participants will have the opportunity to use a solar telescope to study the Sun and photograph it at different times of the day, capturing it in various frames.

LIFE COACHING AND AWARENESS
Coaching, derived from the word “coach,” means guiding someone from one place to another. It is a planned developmental relationship between coach and coachee aimed at achieving desired performance. Coaching is a learning and growth process focused on unlocking potential and attainable goals. It is the art of creating awareness through the right questions. The coachee learns to reach self-set goals independently and overcome challenges. Coaching is a developmental process during which the individual gains self-knowledge, discovers potential, learns from mistakes, and enhances competencies. It is a confidential, trust-based partnership with healthy individuals seeking improvement in personal and professional life.

CREATIVITY
In daily life, private matters, and work, we face numerous problems. To solve them, we must first recognize problems and learn to view them from different perspectives. Creative thinking processes support children in thinking originally, logically, flexibly, and unconventionally. This workshop teaches students the four dimensions of creative thinking: fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration. It also introduces techniques such as synectics, brainstorming, reverse brainstorming, SCAMPER, attribute listing, and creative problem solving to help generate new ideas.

ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeology is the key science linking the past with the present. This workshop offers students the chance to study cultural changes, make intercultural comparisons, and illuminate history while broadening their general knowledge. Topics include archaeological terminology, excavation methods, and designing their own archaeological artifacts, fostering increased interest in archaeology.